Beauty is an Inside Job: Embracing my Postpartum Body One Day at a Time
TRUTH: The most beautiful I ever felt was when I was pregnant.
Despite gaining nearly 40 pounds, not fitting into my favorite clothes, and treating myself to any foods I wanted, I felt like a freakin’ Goddess.
I loved watching my bump grow month after month, nourishing my body (and baby), and of course my glowing skin was a nice perk. More so, I loved how I felt in my body — especially when the baby kicked, I was in the zone doing laps in the pool, or meditating with my hands gently rested on my belly and heart.
I felt beautiful and connected in a way I had never felt before, in a way that’s hard to describe. I was simply so amazed and grateful for my body growing a tiny human — especially after struggling to get pregnant — and that to me felt beautiful.
Here’s the thing: beauty is an inside job. It’s 99% how we feel and speak to ourselves.
In my teens and early 20s, I struggled a lot with my body — my thighs were “too fat,” my boobs were too small, and I wasn’t as skinny as the rest of my friends. Therefore, I wasn’t good enough.
These were the cruel “mean girl” things I’d tell myself, which I now clearly realize are not true. Not to mention, I’d never dare speak this way to my friends, but I freely bashed my own body like it was my job.
I’ve come a long way since then, but even now as I grow into this postpartum body of mine, I still hear that inner critic from time to time: slightly judging myself for not being back to my pre-pregnancy weight or having jiggly thighs or not fitting in my old clothes.
For the record, none of these things have anything to do with our self-worth.
I think we all go through phases in our life where we personally feel the most beautiful, so I’m working on harnessing that feeling (and challenging you to do the same).
Think back to a time you felt utterly beautiful. How were you living your life? Who were you surrounding yourself with? How were you treating your body? What kinds of things did you say to yourself?
I’m taking a little nugget from this Spark Your Bliss card today, and reminding myself that beauty is an inside job and when we feel good, we shine.
Shine on, beauties!
